1015px columbus taking possession

The discovery of America

  • Aug 3, 1492

    .Columbus Sets Sail from Palos de la Frontera, Huelva:

    Columbus set sail from Palos de la Frontera, Huelva, with three ships: la Santa María, la Pinta, and la Niña.
  • Aug 12, 1492

    Stop in the Canary Islands:

    The expedition stopped in the Canary Islands for final provisions and repairs.
  • Sep 6, 1492

    Columbus's Expedition Leaves the Canary Islands:

    Columbus's expedition leaves the Canary Islands.
  • Oct 10, 1492

    Impatient Sailors and the Threat of Mutiny:

    The sailors became impatient and were about to mutiny against Columbus.
  • Oct 12, 1492

    Land is Spotted:

    Land was spotted by a sailor named Rodrigo de Triana aboard the Pinta. They reached the island of Guanahani (which Columbus named San Salvador) in the Bahamas.
  • Oct 28, 1492

    Arrival at Cuba

    Columbus arrived at Cuba, which he believed to be the mainland of Asia. He named it Juana.
  • Dec 6, 1492

    Encounter with the Taíno People

    The expedition reached the island of Hispaniola (present-day Dominican Republic and Haiti), where they encountered the indigenous Taíno people.
  • Dec 25, 1492

    Establishment of La Navidad:

    Columbus established the settlement of La Navidad in Hispaniola, build with the remains of the ship la Santa María
  • Jan 15, 1493

    Return of La Niña and La Pinta to Spain:

    La Niña and la Pinta set sail back to Spain, leaving about 40 crew members behind due to the lack of space.
  • Mar 15, 1493

    Arrival in Palos de la Frontera:

    La Niña arrived in Palos de la Frontera, followed shortly by la Pinta (which previously had stop in Bayona), bringing news of their discoveries.